Divisible carton



Mayl, 1939. w. B. -vloNEs DIVISIBLE CARTON Filed Nov. 6, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 'l lllllwlllnll.

i L @j May 16 1939- w. B. JONES 2,158,072?

DIVISIBLE CARTON Filed Nov. 6, 1936 4 Sheecs-Sheet 2 May 16, 1939. ,w. B. JONES 2,158,072

DIVISIBLE CARTON Filed Nov. e, 193e 4 sheets-sheet s May 16, 1939. w. B. JONES 2,158,072

DIVIS IBLE CARTON Filed Nov. 6, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 i das i r. l -ff/04 //7 Mum Patented May 16, 1939 W. Bartlett Jones, Chicago, Ill., assignor., by mesne assignments, to Consolidated Carton Inc., Ohicago, Ill., a. corporation of Illinois Application November 6, 1936, Serial No. 109,416

17 Claims.

The present invention relates to cartons generally and to a construction facilitating the division of a carton 4into smaller carton units or sections. It has particular application and spe- 5 cial utility in the field of egg cartons so that the dozen-unit may be readily divided into two smaller units, practically the half-dozen size. 'I'he invention will be particularly set forth in this preferred field.

In the common 2 x6 cell-sized egg cartons there is at the end, or at the divided end of sections, a transverse Wall, which extends between the front and back carton sides to which the said wall is secured and by which it is carried. This wall supports the two end eggs, and without a middle support, the wall is subject to excessive pressure from the end eggs, which pressure tends to bow the wall outwardly. This effect is commonly prevented by an outside support carried 20 on some longitudinal partition dividing the cells into two rows. These partitions have a projecting finger lying outside of the wall to support such wall centrally.

The structure above described necessitates using part of the length of the carton to provide enough space for an efciently wide supporting nger. Manycartons are commonly non-divisible 2 x 6 cartons and standards of length have become established. There is a growing demand that such 2 x 6 cartons be capable of division into 2 x 3 sections. Such sections also require support for any transverse wall at the severed end, and this has been provided by the customary finger on the longitudinal partition. To d accomplish this, a portion of the normal carton length must be taken from the normal egg space, or else the box must be made longer to provide room for the two added ngers. If this is not done the length available for eggs is lessened, and the carton is useful only for the smallersized eggs. y

'Ihese divisible egg cartons must provide separate longitudinal partitions, or but one, which is easily divisible into two longitudinal partitions. If the latter construction is used some force is exerted upon the single partition at the line of division when the carton is broken, and there is y always the possibility that this force will break or weaken the two wall-supporting fingers. Some attempt has been made to provide two overlapping longitudinal partitions, one for each divided section, but in such case each partition projects from the divided end of the section, where it is exposed to danger of breaking olf the wall-supporting post.

Another method of overcoming these troubles is to provide a divisible box which forms two sections, one of which is lacking in a transverse end wall. There are two pertinent types of egg cartons, (l) those which rely for lateral egg sup'- 5 port wholly upon a transverse vertical end-wall as in the Sugerman Re. 19,030, and (2) those which rely upon the transverse end wall in part only to retain the eggs, as in the Bueschel application Serial No. 44,377, vfiled October 10, 1935. Said application shows an egg carton in which there is a carton bottom and above it an egg rack in the form of a false bottom having -eggholes in which the ends of eggs are placed. This false bottom provides considerable lateral support for eggs without regard for the customary transverse vertical walls. The latter ordinarily perfect the support at the ends of cartons or sections.

The present invention as applied to egg carton provides for omitting a transverse wall in one section at the line of division. It may be practically employed in cartons which have other means in part providing lateral support for the eggs, such, for example, as the egg rack above referred to. By omitting the transverse vertical wall at the end of one divided section, that portion of the length necessary for its central finger support becomes available for eggs.

One object of the invention is to provide a transversely divisible egg carton such that upon division into two sections, one section is provided with an attached projecting tongue, or end-lock which is stored before division in the other section, which tongue is readily removed from the other section, and which is foldable over the severed end asa closure or lock for the eggs, and made efficiently secure for such purpose.

A particular object is to provide an attached end-lock or closure for any divisible carton which 40 can be readily manufactured, which is not likely to injure either section or to be injured itself in the act of severing the carton into sections, and which may be easily and readily manipulated to close the end of the section bearing it.

A further object of the invention is to provide an end-lock or closure which can be used to span the end of a section from top to cover.

Various other and ancillary objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and explanation of the invention as set forth in several embodiments thereof, and particularly in the egg carton field. Various modifications and types of embodiment are discussed in the following description and are disclosed in illustrative forms in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig, 1 represents a blank for forming a divisible carton with structure to form egg cells.

Fig. 2 is a separate and divisible longitudinal partition dividing the egg cells into rows.

Figs. `3 and 4 are the sections formed upon dividing the carton.

Fig. 5 is the section of Fig. 3 with the tongue in closing position.

Fig. 6 shows a modified locking structure on a section like that of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a. cross-sectional view of the cartonsection of Fig. 6 taken on line '1 -'I of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an end view of a modified form of carton having folds all in one direction.

Fig. 9 shows a large fragment of a blank for forming the carton of Fig. 8. l

Fig. 10 is a perspective view partly in section showing that modification of tongue locking means which is incorporated in the carton of Figs. 8 and 9.

Fig. 11 is a blank of a prior art carton modified to embody the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a view of the carton from the blank of Fig. 11 and shows how the invention may be modified for such embodiment.

Figs. 13 and 14 show an ordinary carton made divisible by means of the present invention, Fig. 13 showing the blank form, and Fig. 14 showing an end view.

In Fig. 1 there is shown a blank punched and scored for forming a carton in which the invention is embodied. The general construction and relation of the parts of the carton proper are old and are only briefly described in order to apply reference numerals thereto. Areas may be panels or walls and are represented by even numbers, and folding lines arerepresentedby odd numbers. The areas are referred to as: locking flap I0, cover I2. rear longitudinal side wall I4, bottom I6, front longitudinal side wall I8, cross-wallfcrming-panel 20, attaching strip 22 which forms eventually a part rigid with rear side wall I4, false-bottom or egg-rack panel 24, attaching strip or false-bottom suspension 26 which is eventually a part of the front side wall I8, and the panel supplied by this invention termed a tongue-forming panel 28.

Intermediate these areas there are folding lines designated by odd numbers from 1l to 27. The direction of fold appears clearly by reference to the various end views of carton or section. Supplementary parts and structures are also described.

The panel designated 20 is cut and scored to provide a series of down-foldable flaps numbered from 30 to 36 inclusive, each suspended and hinging on flat connecting tabs 31 at the rear and 38 at the front, which tabs remain in the original area of panel 20. Each iiap when folded downforms a transverse vertical cross-wall between I front and rear, and all seven of them define six spaces, suitable for eggs. Each ap is recessed at 39 to interlock with a longitudinal partition, such as shown in Fig. 2.

The partition of Fig. 2 is generally of a common structure found in the prior art and shows one feature added as an optional expedient for the present invention. The longitudinal partition has two parts 40 and 4I connected by a perforated or weakened line of connection 42. It has recesses 43 to interlock with recesses 39 in the transverse walls 30 to 36. It also has flat recessed portions 44 from the bottom to overlie egg-rack 24, and

hooked projections 45 to pass through holes 46 in the egg-rack 24. 'Ihe line of division 42 passes through one of the hooked projections 45 forming a finger 45a to hold the transverse wall 33. A similar finger 41 is formed in the partition part 4I for transverse wall 30. The bevel edge 48 is new and is related to the tongue of the present invention. Also it relates to use of the part 49 as a post for securing the tongue of the present invention.

The carton is suitably weakened as by a perforated line 50 shown in Fig. 1. This is located to overlie line 42 in the longitudinalpartition and to fall in the blank so that in dividing the carton, it leaves one transverse wall at the end of one section, and open cells at the end of the opposing section. Locking flap I has the customary hooked fingers I which are located to hook under the front tabs 38.

It is to be noted that the tongue-forming panel 28 at the end of the blank is secured in the carton in one section and not in the other.section by reason of its construction providing a tongue 52, separated by cut 53 extending at least to the line of division 50, which does not traverse the tongue-forming panel. Hence the` tongue 52 is carried by one section, but normally lies in the other section from which it is made readily withdrawable in the act of dividing the carton.

When the closed carton is dividedit provides one complete section shown in Fig. 4 and an incompleted section shown in Fig. 3. This carries tongue 52 ready for a simple operation of folding it to lie over the open end of the divided section, and suitably securing it as an eiective closure. The tongue 52 is foldable up on dotted line 54. Various means may be employed for holding the tongue 52 in folded position. For example a tuckin flap 55 may fold on line 56, riding easily over the bevel edge 48 on post 49. The flap may be sufficiently long to effectively hold the tongue closed, as in any common tuck-in cover. A positive lock may be provided such as the tab 51 with hook-forming recess 58. This cooperates with a receiving slit 59 in cover I2. The tab may pass through the slit in either direction, but preferably from within to the outside, as shown in Fig. 5.

Since locking the tongue to the cover would normally interfere with the lock on opening the cover, the cover is made subject to being opened in sections by a weakened tearing line 60. Thus the cover over four eggs may be opened without unlocking the tongue 52.

The tongue may be positively locked in the section at a place other than the cover. For example it may be locked to the above mentioned post 49 on the longitudinal partition. In Figs. 6 and 7 the tongue 52 has a fold 6I forming a tuck-in ap 62, on which there is a reverse folding line 63 and a reversely folded ap 64. Folding line 6I is lower than the top of the carton section and below the top of post 49, so that the reversely folded flaps 62 and 64 have a resilient action forcing flap 62 into position to ring the post by a hole 65 formed therein, A notch 66 may be formed on the inner side of post 49 to catch the edge of hole 65. Flap 64 provides a convenient finger hold to tuck the folded edge 631' into the carton over bevel edge 48. The odd shape of aps 62 and 64 is occasioned by removal of material which would otherwise be acted upon by the ends of eggs in the cells to prevent the desired resilient action of the two flap-s 62 and 64, which action locks the tongue. The material is removed over the back egg cell, and a large hole In this the tongue is designated 10, folding up on line 1| to a cut-off edge 12. In other words, there is no necessary ap or tuck-in means. The tongue is 'locked from within the at area of the tongue itself to a part within the section, preferably the vertical longitudinal partition, designated 13. The partition is recessed at 14 to receive a band 'I5 struck out from the area. of the tongue in a direction to cross the edge of the partition 13. The manner in which such a band may be formed in a blank is shown in Fig. 9. One portion of the band is narrower than that on the normal line of contact with the recess 14, and the narrow portion may slip between two opposing fingers 16 and 11 at the mouth of the recess 14, The narrow portion may be made by gradually constricting the width of the band, but parallel band edges are preferred into which two recesses 18 and 19 are formed. These are alined angular to the direction of the carton length in order to permit turning the folded-up tongue 10 askew to bring the narrow part of the band in front of fingers 16 and 11. To permit such askew movement of the tongue, it is provided with a free edge 80 for a. considerable depth into the section carrying it, and the panel8| which` extends to form the tongue is not secured to the carton near the folding line 1|.

The foregoing describes various modifications of the tongue and securing means therefor, and illustrates but one of several types of carton in which it may be embodied. The invention is susceptible to embodiment in many types of cartons, whether for eggs or other uses. The cell forming means may be lacking in some embodiments. The following description shows other types of egg cartons Vin which the invention may be used.

The manner in which cartons are formed by folding or rolling blanks may determine how the present invention may be embodied. In Fig. 1 the carton blank is prior art from the locking flap up to and including attaching strip 26, which normally terminates in attached position on the front Wall 8. The tongue carrying panel 28 is additional structure. Some cartons may be formed so that it is desirable to have the tongue-carrying panel an intermediate one in the carton blank. The blank of Fig. 9'is one such, forming carton of Fig 8. This carton is generally the same in character of the parts as that of Fig. l, the arrangement of panels being different. The panels or areas in order are: locking flap 84, cover 85, back Wall 86, bottom 81, front wall 88, crosswall-forming panel 89, back attaching-strip 90, tongue-forming panel 9| superimposed on bottom 81 with the tongue 10 therein formed for ready severance in dividing the carton, front attachingstrip 92, egg-rack or false-bottom 93, and attaching strip 94. The carton is perforated or weakened on line 95 for division, which line coincides with folding line 1| for tongue 10.

In the'carton formed by the blank of Fig. 9, the tongue-forming panel 9| provides a double bottom in the full carton, and the panel 9| is carried by attaching strips 90 and 92 on opposite edges thereof.` The tongue 10 may be formed and se? cured in various ways including those already described.

In the cartons above described the tongue has been shown at the bottom. This position is preferred in part because when the carton is not to be divided, the tongue is concealed and out of the way, and the general appearance of the carton isas normal as a non-divisible carton, except for the weakened line for division. The tongue forming panel may be located above the eggs as well as below, and in such location it is preferably attached to the cover to be opened with it before division of the carton. The cover may be prepared for tearing as described with reference to line 60 in Figs.` 1 and 5, to preserve the end-'locking tongue where it is in part dependent on the cover to hold it in position. Where the locking means is of the type shown inFigs, 9 and 10, the tongue may be severed to provide a fiat independent piece anchored to the section by the locking means formed within its own area. Such a tongue carried by the cover may conveniently have a folding line which maybe torn in opening the cover.

There are many known types of egg cartons which have an end of the blank located near the hinging line of the cover, or which have an attaching strip conveniently subject to reversal of direction to provide such an end or edge. These blanks may be continued to provide a tongue-carrying panel at the top, preferably secured to the cover. Some of these cartons have bottoms so formed or obstructed that the tongue cannot be practically located in the bottom. The following United States Letters Patent show some such cartons: Carter No. 927,488, Ashton No. 1,115,476, Troyk No. 1,783,397, Burger No. 1,915,151, Walsh No. 1,948,322, Cox No. 1,953,748, Levine No. 1,954,595, Levkoff No. 1,990,336, Burger No. 1,992,183, Cox No. 1,992,192 and Burger No. 2,017,650.

The Burger Patent No. 2,017,650 is selected as an example. It shows a suitable blank in its Fig. 4 which is extended herein as shown in Fig, 1l. Fig. l2 shows the resulting carton when open and undivided. The carbon blank has the successive panels or areas: locking flap |0|, cover |02, rear yside wall |03, back slope of bottom |04, reversely foldable areas forming vertical longitudinal partition |05, front slope of bottom |06, front side Wall |01, cross-Wall-forming panel |08, attaching strip |09, and tongue forming panel H0, which may be extended to provide locking hooks similar to the cover locking hooks. The blank is weakened for division on line this line being continuous with folding line ||2 for the tongue H3.,

In folding the blank to form a carton, the attaching strip |08 extends toward the cover |02 and the tongue-forming panel |l0 is secured to the cover in part, as on the stippled area ||4. The tongue |3 has a large area to cover the end of the section after division of the carton, and two separated tuck-in flaps ||5 and ||6. The tongue-forming panel ||0 and tongue ||3 are made severable by tearing line ||1, leaving on the tongue end a tab ||1a with hole ||1.b to be; folded over the hook l|1c which is present in the longitudinal partition. Upon dividing the carton, the tongue ||3 confronts the one who divides the carton, is folded down on line ||2, and the aps |5 and I I6 are tucked in at the bottom of the carton. Upon opening the cover of the divided section, the tongue end of the panel is torn olf automatically on line ||1, leaving tab Ille. This will obviously be used if necessary by the one who opens the carton to hook it over the hook ||1. It is vto be observed that between the lines ||2 and ||1, the folding line between the attaching strip |09 and tongue panel ||0 will be effecaus both carton ends to seal the ends.

. ture.

tive to hold down the rear part of the panel attached to the tongue.

In addition, the panel may have a strip ||8m attached to the panel part between tearing line I and folding line I I2. This strip matches with the locking flap I 0| and carries similar locking means or hooks to cooperate with the tab ||8b.

Upon opening the cover, this strip ||8a holds the Y left-over piece of the panel |I0 locked over the end eggs, and facilitates the tearing on line |I'I. With the locking strip H83, thev tab II'Ia may be dispensed with.

The invention may be embodied in other types of egg cartons and in non-egg cartons. It is susceptible to embodiments for providing tongues on each divided end of the two resulting sections. In the Bueschel U. S. Patents No. 1,940,292 and No. 1,944,214, there are shown egg cartons of the 2x6 nondivisible type, having egg cells formed otherwise than by folded down cross-partitions cut from a panel, and having tuck-in flaps at Such cartons may be made divisible and each of the sections be provided with end-locks by tongues of the type herein described. Such use of the invention is not dependent upon cell-forming struc- An exemplary form of carton is shown in Figs. 13 and 14 having tongues on each section. These are shown superimposed on each other, but may readily be made in a different relation, for example on opposite faces of the carton.

In Fig. 13 the blank has attaching strip I I9 and four panels |20, |2I, |22 and |23 forming four sides of a carton. The blank is continued beyond these requirements to provide one tongueforming panel |24, and then further to provide a second tongue-forming panel |25 which is reversely folded on panel |24. One end of the carton has a common type of closure flaps |26, |21 and |28, and the other end has like closure flaps |29, and |3|. The carton is weakened for division by a line such as a perforated cut |32 formed only in the carton Walls. The line |32 in the tongue-forming panels continues not as a tearing line, but as a scored folding line |33. In panel |24 on one side of folding line |33 is formed one easily severable tongue |34, while a similar tongue is vformed in panel |25 on the opposite side of folding line |33.

The blank of Fig. 13 may be folded to an ordinary form of carton with cross-section shown in Fig. 14. Panels |24 and |25 may have their areas unsecured in such carton, or panel |24 may be held down to carton wall |20 by adhesive near the stippled area |36. Also panel |25 may be held down to panel |24 by adhesive near the area |3'I.

It is readily seen that two articles such as two half-pounds of butter may be located in such a carton, separated from each other at the division line |32. Upon dividing the carton, the two tongues |34 and |35 pull out of the opposing section and may be used to close the open end of each section.

The double structure above described is not usually necessary in cartons like egg cartons because the cell-forming structure leaves one divided section sufficiently complete.

The location of the tongue in a horizontal plane in an egg carton is preferred because of the manner in which egg cartons are divided. They are set with the bottom on a counter or table. The cover is divided, as by pressing down with the fingers. Then one section is projected over the edge of the table or counter and pressed down to break the carton in a vertical swinging about the line of division in the bottom. This permits the horizontal tongue to flex. The bottom location is preferred in order to eliminate the sight of it when the carton is unbroken, and to avoid the modifications which may be desired when the tongue is located above the eggs. The egg carton with the egg rack is also preferred, because it gives partial lateral support to the eggs at the divided end of a section. However, use ofthe invention does not require this partial support from the egg rack because of the manner of han-dling the cartons in dividing. After the carton is split by the action above described and while the division line in the bottom is still intact, the newly exposed ends of the sections are turned upright before the division is completed. This assures that eggs will not fall out before the tongue is closed over the eggs.

The invention exemplified in the drawings and explained in the description and references thereto is of course subject to embodiment in other forms and to modifications, as will readily appear to those skilled in the art. In the appended claims I aim to set forth the invention in its broadest scope as it may be otherwise embodied.

I claim:

1. A transversely divisible egg carton of paper or the like having Walls forming a cover, a bottom, and two longitudinalsides, said walls of the carton being weakened along a transverse division line for breaking the carton into rst and second sections, means forming egg cells, a tongue secured in the second section extending from the bottom thereof into the first section across the line of division to lie between the bottom of said rst section and any eggs therein, said tongue being foldable to lie over the divided end of the second section as a barrier for eggs therein, and means for holding said tongue in sai-d folded position.

2. A transversely divisible egg carton of paper or the like having Walls forming a cover, a bottom, and two longitudinal sides, said walls of the carton being weakened along a transverse division line for breaking the carton into first and second sections, means forming egg cells, tongue means secured in the second section extending in a horizontal plane when the carton is closed into the rst section across the line of division to lie between a wall of said first section and any eggs therein, said tongue means being foldable to lie over the divided end of the second section as a barrier for eggs therein, and means for positively locking said tongue means in said folded position.

3. A-transversely divisible egg carton of paper or the like having walls forming a cover, a bottom, and two longitudinal sides, said Walls of the carton being weakened along a transverse division line for breaking the carton into rst and second sections, means forming egg cells, tongue means secured in the second section extending in a horizontal plane when the carton is closed into the first section across the line of division to lie between a wall of said first section and any eggs therein, said tongue means being foldable to lie over the divided end of the second section as a barrier for eggs therein, and flap means carried by said tongue means as a part thereof foldable from said tongue means to be tucked into said section to hold said tongue means in folded position.

4. A transversely divisible egg carton of paper or the like having walls forming a cover, a bottom, and two longitudinal sides, said Walls of the carton being weakened along a transverse .division line for breaking the carton into rst and second sections, means forming egg cells, a tongue secured in the second section extending from the bottom thereof into the rst section across the line of division to lie between the bottom of said first section and any eggs therein, said tongue being foldable to lie over the divided end of the second section as a barrier for eggs therein, and a tab carried by said tongue as a part thereof foldable from said tongue to be tucked into a receiving slit therefor formed in the cover.

5.y A transversely divisible egg carton of paper or the like having walls forming a cover, a bottom, and two longitudinal sides, said walls of the carton being weakened along a transverse division line for breaking the carton into rst and second sections, means forming egg cells, tongue means secured in the second section extending in a horizontal plane when the carton is closed into the first section across the line of division to lie between a wall of said first section and any eggs therein, said tongue means being foldable to lie over the divided end of the second section as a barrier for eggs therein, and cooperative structures in said tongue means and in the cell-forming means in the second section for positively locking the tongue means in folded position.

6. A transversely divisible egg carton of paper or the like having walls forming a cover, a bottom, and two longitudinal sides, said walls of the carton being weakened along a transverse division line for breaking the carton into rst and second sections, means forming egg cells including in the second section a longitudinal partition dividing the egg cells into rows, a tongue secured in the second section extending from the bottom thereof into the first section across the line of division to lie between the bottom of said first section and any eggs therein, said tongue being foldable to lie over the divided end of the second section as a barrier for eggs therein, and means forming part of said'tongue and cooperating with said longitudinal partition for holding said tongue in said folded position.

7. A transversely divisible egg carton of paper or the like having walls forming a cover, a bottom, and two longitudinal sides, said walls of the carton being weakened along a transverse dvision line for breaking the carton into first and second sections, means forming egg cells including in the second section a longitudinal partition dividing the egg cells into rows, a tongue secured in the second section extending in a horizontal plane when the carton is closed into the rst section across the line of division to lie between a wall of said first section and any eggs therein, said tongue being foldable to lie over the divided end of the second section as a barrier for eggs therein, and cooperative means forming part of the tongue and part of the longitudinal partition at the vertical edge thereof for locking the tongue in said folded position.

8. A transversely divisible egg carton of paper or the like having walls forming a cover, a bottom, and two longitudinal sides, said Walls of the carton being weakened along a transverse division line for breaking the carton into iirst and second sections, means forming egg cells including in the second section a longitudinal partition dividing the egg cells into rows, a tongue secured in the second section extending in a horizontal plane when the carton is closed into the first section across the line of division to lie between a wall vof said first section and any eggs therein, said tongue being foldable to lie over the divided end of the second section as a barrier for eggs therein, a band struck in said tongue to cross the vertical edge of said longitudinal portion and to be depressed into a recess therein, and linger means in said partition partially closing said recess, said band being formed with a narrow portion capable of entering the recess in avoidance of said inger means, the narrow portion being offset from the normal position of the band and said finger means whereby lateral motion of the tongue in folded position brings the narrow portion into line with said finger means.

9. A transversely divisible egg carton of paper or the like having walls forming a cover, a bottom, and two longitudinal sides, said walls of the carton being weakened along a transverse division line for breaking the carton into rst and second sections, means forming egg cells, a piece of foldable sheet material superimposed on the bottom of the carton, an attaching strip for carrying said piece secured to one of the longitudinal sides of the second section, said piece extending as a tongue into the first section above its bottom and below the position of eggs in the rst section and withdrawable therefrom in the act of dividing the carton into sections, said tongue being foldable to cover the open end of the divided second section, and means for holding the tongue in said folded position to form an effective retaining end for eggs in said second section.

10. A transversely divisible egg carton of paper or the like having walls forming a cover, a bottom, and two longitudinal sides, said walls of the carton being weakened along a transverse division line for breaking the carton into first and second sections, means forming egg cells, a piece of foldable sheet material superimposed on the bottom of the carton, attaching strips on opposite sides of said piece for mounting said piece, said strips being secured to the two longitudinal side walls of the second section, said piece extending as a tongue into the rst section above its bottom and below the position of eggs in the first section and withdrawable therefrom in the act of dividing the carton into sections, said tongue being foldable to cover the open end of the divided second section, and means for holding the tongue in said folded position to form an effective retaining end for eggs in said second section.

11. A transversely divisible egg carton of paper or the like having walls forming a cover, a bottom, and two longitudinal sides, said walls of the carton being weakened along a transverse division line for breaking the carton into rst and second sections, means forming egg cells, a panel superimposed on the bottom of the carton and weakened to form severable parts one in each section, each part being secured in its section, the line of severance of the panel forming a foldable tongue carried by the second section and withdrawable from the first section in the act of dividing the carton, said tongue being foldable to lie over the divided end of the second section as an egg-barrier, and means to hold the tongue effectively in said folded position.

12. A transversely divisible egg carton of paper or the like having walls forming a cover, a bottom, longitudinal side walls, and an inner egg rack spaced slightly above said bottom and attached to said side walls, said walls being weakened along a transverse division rline for breaking the carton into rst and second sections,

means in the carton forming egg cells, a tongue secured in the second section extending in a. horizontal plane therefrom when the carton is closed into the first section between a wall and any eggs in the section and withdrawable from the first section in the act of dividing the carton, said tongue being foldable to lie over the dividedA end of l lthe second section to form an egg barrier above the egg rack, and means for holding said tongue effectively in said folded position. l

13. A transversely divisible egg carton of paper or the like having walls forming a cover, a bottom, and two longitudinal sides, said walls of the carton being weakened along a transverse division line for breaking the carton into first and second sections, means forming egg cells, a tongue secured in the second section extending in a horizontal plane from the closed second section into the first section across the line of division to lie between eggs and one of the horizontal walls of the carton, said tongue being foldable vertically to lie over the divided end of the second section as a barrier for eggs therein, and means for holding said tongue in said folded position.

14. A transversely divisible egg carton of paper or the like having walls forming a cover, a bottom, and two longitudinal sides, said` walls of the carton being weakened along a transverse division line for breaking the carton into first and second sections, means forming egg cells, projecting sheet material secured in the second section extending in a horizontal plane from the second section into the rstv section across the line of division to lie between eggs and one of the horizontal walls of the carton, said projecting material being foldable vertically to lie over the divided end of the second section as a barrier for eggs therein, and means for holding said projecting material in said folded position.

15. Acarton having a tubular cross-section and having body Walls subject to division to divide the carton transversely to form two sections, the carton on each side ofthe line of division having a tongue secured therein and extending across the line of division into the opposing section from which the tongue is readily withdrawable in the act of dividing the carton, the tongue being foldable and adapted to form a closure for the severed end of the section in which it is secured.

16. A carton having a tubular cross-section and having body walls including a bottom and a cover-top, said walls being subject to division to divide the carton transversely to form a shorter carton or section on each side of the division line, cell-forming means presenting a horizontal layer of vertically open egg-cells in the carton, one of the walls which extends parallel with the layer of egg cells being unobstructed over an area in one section extending from a major portion of said division line toward an end of the carton, and a tongue secured in the other section extending across said division line and lying in said area between the said wall and said egg-cells, said tongue being withdrawable from the section having said wall with said unobstructed area in the act of dividing the carton, the tongue being foldable to form a closure over the divided end of the section in which it is secured.

17. A carton having a tubular cross-section and having body Walls subject to division to divide the carton transversely to form a shorter carton or section on each side of the division line, one wall of the carton in one section being unobstructed over an area extending from the entire length of the division line in said wall toward the end of said section, and a tongue secured in the other section and extending across said division line to lie over said area inside the carton .to be withdrawable from said position in the act of dividing the carton, whereby to form a closure for the divided end of the section to which said tongue is secured.

W. BARTLETT JONES. 

